What should you know about laser age spots?

Age spots, also called sun spots, are flat areas of increased pigment commonly found on sun-exposed skin. A laser can deliver energy that targets pigment, after which the spot may darken, crust, flake, or gradually fade. The surrounding skin can also become temporarily red or irritated.

Not every brown mark is an age spot. A clinician may examine or photograph a lesion and decide whether it is appropriate for laser treatment. Alternative approaches include IPL, a chemical peel, cryotherapy, or a different plan depending on the diagnosis, skin tone, and location.

Tell the clinician about tanning, pigment disorders, medicines, previous reactions, and any mark that has changed. Avoid tanning and follow advice about sun protection before treatment. Do not apply makeup, acids, retinoids, or other products near the area unless the clinic says they are suitable.

After treatment, keep the area clean and protected, do not pick crusts, and use the recommended sun protection. Sun exposure can darken treated skin and encourage new spots. Wait until the skin has healed before restarting irritating products or booking another procedure.

Arrange a skin review for a spot that is changing in size, shape, colour, or sensation, or one that bleeds, crusts repeatedly, or does not heal. After treatment, contact the clinic for worsening pain, pus, spreading redness, blistering, or a reaction that is not settling. A suspicious mark should not be treated cosmetically without assessment.

Ask how the mark was identified, whether it needs monitoring or sampling, which treatment fits your skin tone, what pigment changes may occur, and how many visits might be considered. Ask about IPL, peel, picosecond laser, or cryotherapy when laser is not the right choice.